www.impossible.com - the future of social networks

Impossible is nothing. So says Adidas. Lily Cole, a professional model, has also adopted this viewpoint in the creation of a new website which is so much more than just that. www.impossible.com is a perfect example of a gift-buying economy in action. Goods and services are free. They are provided by people willing to offer them for free, in the hope that the favour will be reciprocated. The intention is a redistribution of 'wealth' throughout a community and a reminder of the ties and connections that can bind us together. The project has gained the support of Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, yet it's still in it's infancy. Cole and Wales talk about the project briefly in the video below. The 20 minute version is naturally more comprehensive and I'd recommend having a look at that too.

When opening impossible.com, you're presented with two options. It's frighteningly simple.

From there, you either offer your service, or request a service. For the record, I asked for someone to teach me first aid and I offered to look after children. Whilst this project is upheld by traditional ideals, it's made possible through the explosion in technology and social media. Open source software projects have been a part of engineering and science for years, but this is one of the first times we've seen a gift economy operating on a socioeconomic level, at least through social media. 

This project could soar and change the way we do business, or it could just as easily flop under the weight off to many requests and not enough offers. My wish to be taught first aid was only the 6010th wish recorded. Considering it's a global project, it illustrates that this is still in early stages of development.

Interestingly, when I offered to look after children, that was recorded as the 6011th wish, so they must group offers and requests together. 

I find impossible.com to be a bold attempt at rearranging the global marketplace from one of a barter economy to that of a gift economy. As Cole puts it: "Kindness is the currency." The simplicity of the website is truly appealing and the fact it can be linked in with 21st century social media platforms enhances its appeal. But what does it mean for the local plumber down the road, who know faces competition from someone willing to do his job for free? How many people would actually offer to fix a car, teach a language or cook a dinner for free? At the very least, this project serves to test our generosity and the viability of a gift buying economy. What is impossible for mankind? 

We're about to find out.